VehicleVerdict

1999 Lexus Ls400 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1999 Lexus Ls400 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Complainants reported 102 injuries in total across these filings.

27

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

102

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Ls400 years?

Ls400 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted83 complaints1990: 36 complaints1991: 27 complaints1992: 10 complaints1993: 83 complaints1994: 76 complaints1995: 48 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 23 complaints1998: 52 complaints1999: 27 complaints2000: 16 complaints2001: 2 complaints
Ls400 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ls400 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Lexus Ls400 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control1348%
Electrical System415%
Body & Structure27%
Tires & Wheels27%
Steering14%
Brakes14%
Transmission14%
Engine14%
Lighting14%
Seat Belts14%

Does the 1999 Lexus Ls400 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE MAKING A U-TURN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER PUT THE BRAKES ON, AND THE BRAKES SQUEALED AND DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. IT LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE WALL. DEALER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 12, 1999 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS LS400. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD PANEL WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 22, 2009

“FIRESTONE TURANZA ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A LEXUS LS400 1999. WHILE DRIVING 75MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE'S AIR WENT OUT. TREAD WAS STILL ON THE TIRE, BUT SIDEWALL WAS GONE. *AK THE TIRE IS DOT ELA6 (CBC 218) # 035629 MADE IN JAPAN. IT FAILED DUE TO POOR MATERIAL, POOR ADHESIVE AND WORKMANSHIP. *YH ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 16, 1998

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS LS400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WORKING UNDER THE HOOD IT STARTED CLOSING CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. TOYOTA WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 20, 2007

1999 Lexus Ls400 — common questions

Is the 1999 Lexus Ls400 reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 Ls400 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (13 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 1999 Lexus Ls400 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Lexus Ls400. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Lexus Ls400 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lexus Ls400 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ls400 years to avoid are 1993, 1994, 1998, 1995. The cleanest record among Ls400 years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.